07 January 2011

On Human Resources

When I find myself wishing I could avoid a given core activity for a day, it's not the logistics I dread. Planning, documenting, forging ahead--these things come naturally to me now. It's the massive emotional investment in building genuine relationships that exhausts me, introvert that I am.

6 comments:

Cheers, Kat. Your post recalls the House of Justice's recent statement, "The operation of spiritual forces in the arena of service becomes increasingly apparent, and bonds of friendship, so vital to a healthy pattern of growth, are continuously reinforced."

It's kind of funny. The House is asking us to change the world by being FRIENDS with people. This doesn't always come easy. It would be simpler to stay inside and watch Doctor Who reruns, my material self tells me. And this, perhaps, is part of why becoming conscious of my spiritual existence is important for service and social action -- so I can distinguish between the voice that wants to focus inward, and the voice calling me to step out into the community.

"As an increasing number of believers participate in the teaching and administrative work, undertaken with a humble attitude of learning, they should come to view every task, every interaction, as an occasion to join hands in the pursuit of progress and to accompany one another in their efforts to serve the Cause."

I often feel this way too. Part of it's just inertia, and part is that genuine relationships can't be visualized in advance, but unfold unpredictably. It's often those times I was most dreading/reluctant to get out there that ended up feeling most satisfying.

Introverts and extroverts play off each other, sometimes even switching roles. Maybe getting out of our shells, or leaving space for others to do so, will make us all more versatile participants?

I'm an introvert more than an extrovert, and am rather more stuck at home due to needing a big power chair than I used to be. So it is terribly difficult to find energy to get out and contribute in person even if another person's house is accessible. All prayers for friendship opportunities welcomed. :-) Still, whatever our personality types, I think we need to keep encouraging one another to move along this path the House is giving us.

I attended a wonderful professional development workshop entitled 'How the Mind can change the Brain'. The two presenters only used scientifically proven research to show the impact of how our thoughts and actions change the brain in positive and negative ways. Throughout the two day conference the presenters, two well-respected psychiatrists, said 'relationships are THE vehicle of positive changes with individuals and groups'. They also remarked that moving away from the 'I' to the 'We' not only heals individuals of serious emotional illnesses but changes the community around them. Study circle, devotional meetings, children's classes, firesides, social dinners are healing instruments. As our thoughts change about ourselves and others, there is a ripple effect that spreads to everyone that each of us interacts with on a daily basis. It is a powerful tool for change.

I am an extrovert and I probably am the opposite of Kat. Everything that he or she mentioned as coming naturally, I find exhausting. The building of genuine friendships comes naturally and I find energizing. WOW! I can see the need for collaboration between introverts and extroverts.

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